For sure Cornwalls would have been a step up in that listening space... better yet, La Scala AL5's.
listen to the fortes for a while then step up.
One other thing is certain, it is possible to over dampen a listening space. many prefer a slightly active room to one that is completely dead.
I would pull them away from boundary layers, and play with clocking. I personally rarely listen on axis. if you have valves, don't wait... get them in there.